Monday 20 February 2012
Videogame developers take top prizes at game design event
The students were competing in the IndieCity Global Game Jam event
Videogame developers from Nottingham Trent University won a host of top awards at a videogame design event, which challenged them to create new games from scratch in just 48 hours. One Nottingham Trent University team took first prize at the IndieCity Global Game Jam for their multiplayer game, Flerbs, in which players have to guide jellies from one flag to another across various obstacles.
It is the second year running a team from Nottingham Trent University has won the top award at the event. They also won the most accessible game award, while a second Nottingham Trent University team took third prize and an award for technical excellence in a category which challenged them to develop a game with 3D graphics for the retro console Sega MegaDrive.
One team member, Alex Roberts, was also awarded a best developer prize at the event, hosted by Birmingham City University and indie games website, IndieCity.
All of the students are part of Nottingham Trent University's Developers' Society and study at the School of Science and Technology.
Competitors watched a short video keynote with advice from leading game developers, before a secret theme was announced. They then had just two days to develop their games.
Student Patrick Merritt, leader of the team responsible for Flerbs said "It's fantastic to have won the event for a second year. Everybody really pulled together and worked well, especially considering the tight time constraints the event is run under.
"We were very pleased with how the game turned out, not only was it fun to play but also the art and sound really made the game an enjoyable experience, both to make and play. Working on the project taught each team member a lot about working collaboratively under tight time scales and how to work well within a team environment."
IndieCity Global Game Jam was a locally arranged jam and held as part of the Global Game Jam weekend, the world's largest game jam event.
Notes to editors:
For press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Senior Press Officer, Nottingham Trent University, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email; or Therese Easom, Press and Internal Communications Manager, Nottingham Trent University, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.
For further information on IndieCity.com, please contact Natalie Griffith, IndieCity’s press and marketing lead by email.
About IndieCity
IndieCity.com is a unique online marketplace committed to celebrating and supporting the indie gaming community at all levels, highlighting the creativity, the passion and the people. The site aims to create one integrated indie community that draws together developers, gamers and press to encourage the discovery, promotion and enjoyment of indie games of all shapes and sizes.
